Many of you have been coming to Perdue Field for years to watch the Wildcats take the field. But do you know why it is called Perdue Field? How much do you really know about Trigg County football history? With a football program that just completed its 75th year, lots of history has been made.

Trigg County football started in 1938. The first team was coached by Paul Perdue, hence “Perdue Field.” Trigg County football started to become relevant in the 1960s, when our first district championship was won in 1967. Joe Jaggers, former all-time winningest football coach in Kentucky high school history, led Trigg County to its only state championships in 1971 and 1972.

Later, Dixie Jones, current defensive coordinator for Trigg County, led the team from 1978-1998, where he won two district championships and state runner-up in 1989. The 2000s was the best decade in Trigg County Football history, where the program added five district championship titles and 88 wins in 10 seasons. All in all, Trigg County boasts 10 district, three regional and two state championships.

Most Trigg County fans have not seen the inside of our fieldhouse. Walking through the doors, it is hard to miss the hundreds of trophies lining the walls. In the room where we watch film and have pregame meetings, there is a wall honoring “Lockerroom Legends.” This program was started just two years ago and recognizes former Trigg County football players and coaches with a plaque displaying their names, positions, accomplishments and years with the program. It is inspiring to look at and remember some of the Trigg County football greats.

Many coaches and players have put in lots of hard work, and it’s our duty to preserve the legacy of Trigg County’s football program. Head Coach Coby Lewis says, “The history of the program drives me to keep what has been done in the past, and strive to add to it in the future. It is important to restore the tradition and pride of Trigg County Football.”

When preserving our program’s history, it is just as important to remind current players, as well as the community about past accomplishments. You may have noticed the newest T-shirts given out to players and the community has a helmet with the number two on the side. That number represents our two state championship titles. Lewis says, “Thoughts become things. If you think about something long enough, you can make it a reality. We can change that two to a three.”

The history of the program is especially important to Lewis. He said that football helped him through a tough time in his life during high school. Since being the coach, Lewis says that he wants to make the same impact that Coach Jones had on his life.

In building a program, having a successful past makes for a stronger future, but just having a past without making people aware of it is useless. That is the reason why the program does so much to remember the achievements accomplished by those who have come before us. Success breeds success.